2 Ticks for Ed

This evening I found 2 attached ticks on Eddie -- one dead, one alive. I told him a couple of weeks ago that after 2 ticks I would leave him at home. So no more, or not much more, hiking for Ed until fall.

After the news was announced, Eddie sulked...

Mark relaxed in her spa...

Rebel enjoyed himself, Sunny not so much...



And Lucy, who never gets to go hiking, just laughed!

Later Eddie pondered his life as it seemed to be slipping away

Hiking in the Heat

Eddie and I got a later start than planned -- we arrived at the lower just after 1pm. We took the craggy trail to the top of the mountain (hill), and after taking it on 3 consecutive hikes I've decided it's my favorite way to the top. The pipevine swallowtails were active in the same two places as earlier this week.

My first digression from my plan was due to a man and his dog. A perfectly fine-looking man and fine-looking dog, but when they turned in the direction I wanted to go I knew it wouldn't work. Ed gets worked up when someone, even without a dog, is in front of us, so I continued north, joined with the yellow and headed towards the prehistoric turtle head boulder.

It was slow and pleasant with the sweet frangrance of honeysuckle. We continued on to the spider and here I made my mistake. I decided to go west, toward the vicinity of Pepsi Lake. Poison oak was abundant, the trail narrow, and we gradually made our way toward snapper creek. Just when the creek came into view we encountered a very large, flat rock. I stepped carefully as I went across, because though it wasn't wet, we had rain earlier this week, and I know how deceiving an apparently "dry" creeky rock can look.

I don't know how it happened but my feet literally began slipping to and fro, and somehow I stayed upright. I felt like a bad cartoon, then I b e g a n to f a l l. I landed with a splat on the large face of the rock, and stunned, I sat, well actually I was sprawled out, for a moment. As soon as I got my head about me I quickly looked in all directions to make sure no one saw me. I hadn't seen anyone for an hour, so why I worried now I don't know. Finally I tried to get up but the whole surface of the rock was like ice. There was no way possible to get up. So there I was sprawled out like a toady splat, when I began kicking and spinning (as much as possible) my body around trying to work myself over to the ground. Thank goodness, and I do mean THANK GOODNESS for my hiking pole. My right foot finally made it onto the leaf-littered soil, which gave me friction to nudge closer off the rock, til I was finally able to use my pole and my right leg to hoist myself up.
I scraped my arm but that was it. The worst part was that today I was wearing my brand new hiking shorts, the exact replacement of the ones I ripped the ass out of while creating a new shortcut about 35 feet down the side of the mountain over on the east side last summer. (Those shorts were creatively repaired by my wonderful friend, but ripped to shreads during a later fall-and-scoot activity.) I'm glad to say my shorts are fine.

Now that I was wearing the "Look at me I FELL" dirty butt, I contiued proudly, but slowly, on my way. We crossed the creek 3 times and it was kind of fun walking through the shallow parts. Even Eddie, who is pretty fastidious about the grooming of his feet, didn't seem to mind.

We came out on the tadpole right at the snapper pool, which meant a long hike, a long ascending hike, a long ascending hike in the full sun after I was already tired. When we got to the top of the next-to-the-last hill I cut over to the east to go the rest of the way on mostly shaded trails. I knew it would be longer, but the shade was more important. So I turned into the area by the turtle egg nest from last year and then immediately left onto the little trail where I found the duck-foot rock.

Pic from last summer. The nest was so large, and up about 30 yds from a pond, that I know it had to be an aquatic species


After I first saw this by the trail last summer I couldn't stop thinking about it, so one day I picked it up. It's rather yellow, and really does resemble Donald Duck's foot

We meandered a while, sat in the shade and shared half a ham sandwich and some grapes, then finally made it to the descent. During the descent I met a biker walking his bike up an impassable rocky hill, and it was the same older guy I saw over on the west side a few weeks ago! I'm very impressed.

The hike was 2 hrs 15 minutes, and we stopped and Eddie drank 5 times. This was the first hike ever that he used his entire bottle of water.

Pics I didn't get because I didn't have my camera, and I'm glad I didn't because it would have hit the rock during my toady splat episode:
> a great shot of a pipevine swallowtail
> a huge nightcrawler trying to get across the dry dusty path, and yes I helped it

This was its destiny had I not intervened
> the first actual blackberry heads

> an old man on a bike
> not one, but two ring-necked snakes

A holding ring-necked snake from the cousin hike 9-29-07

After the hike I took 600mg ibuprofen because the fall nearly did me in, then I still had to hike out. I stopped at my mom's, reclined and napped during a ball game (Cards won 9-8, and the Squares were actually AT Busch Stadium) and when I was recuperated we got carry-out Chinese.

Rainy Hike

I dithered before going -- was it going to rain or not? Trav said not for a while, so I went. I took Eddie and an old bright orange rain poncho. I parked low and went up the craggy hill to the top, then headed west. The sprinkling turned into a light shower right after I started and I thought it was enjoyable. It showered off and on throughout our hike.

When it showered heavier I had to be careful on the rocks, and even then I slipped a few times. I was very thankful I had my trekking pole with me, as I do believe it saved a fall once. I kept debating whether or not to put on the LOOKATME orange poncho. I couldn't bear the thought of creating my own personal sauna. Even though the weather was coolish, about 70, wearing plastic definitely makes me hot. I was relieved it wasn't raining just a little harder, and relieved that I had it with me just in case. For the most part the canopy protected us.

Today I particularly noticed a certain wildflower, the purple cuppish one. It grows on one tall stalk, like an iris, and has one, two or three flowers on top and sometimes some more buds waiting to bloom. They dotted the trails, all the trails, and a few grew in the open meadowy areas, but mostly they were in the shade here and there. I've decided to find out what they are and put some in the future turtle compound.

This pic is from last summer. I'll have to take one which shows the pretty stalk
There also seemed to be an abundance of the yellow flowers. They grew mostly in the open meadowy areas, but they dotted the shady trail areas, too. The overcast sky made the yellow petals especially bright and sharp--really pretty. I want some of those in the compound also.

Pic is from last summer
We headed to the raccoon carcass and I collected a front and a hind foot, sans the tips of the fingers/toes. I knew weeks ago they would be lost as they were so tiny and delicate. I also took the pelvis and a bit of the lower spine. I'll probably go back sometime and get a rib and a femur.

The cute little hand and finger bones. That's a tiny insect tucked up there between 2 of the fingers. I saw some other teeny crawly things on the pelvis/spine piece, so it went directly outside

I had to pull the foot off the leg, and pulled loose that dangly looking piece behind the heel. Wait, I bet it IS the heel piece!
Past the raccoon carcass a ways I intended to take a cut through to the right and bypass the ravine area, but the overgrowth of poison ivy, just since I was last there, made that impossible for me. There were times I felt like I was maneuvering through security laser lights just getting down the trail. Long tendrils reached out while I tried to remain centered. I believe I was successful, but 72 hrs will tell. I may not take that trail again until late fall.

We finally made it to the old rocky road and looped around on the Fairy Dust. Instead of veering left and crossing at the apple-snacking boulder we went straight and came up the back way to the washing machine. We finished by cutting in front of the 3 lakes, then back out. As we passed the tree from which the deer skull once hung Eddie stopped, looked up, reached up, then continued. He's amazing.

As we started the descent from the upper the rain really picked up. By this point my hair and backpack were wet, glasses fogged, and with about 12 minutes left in the hike I had to put on the dreaded poncho. There were 4 other cars left in the lot, no one was in them, and I slipped off the poncho before being seen by anyone, I believe.

Total hike was 1 hr 45 min.

Turtle Mountain

I watched this wasp for quite a while. At one point it stretched out its ridiculously long legs and went from one clump of flowers to the next. It took a little time and he looked like a bridge, but he made it. Notice the little friend in the lower rt corner - I just love 2-for-1s!

I'm a real sucker for bugs on flowers

Today's hike was great. Eddie didn't go because I decided to focus on photography, which meant I needed my hiking pole/monopod. I don't know why, but I didn't use the monopod. I parked low, started off at 1:45, and took the rocky craggy way to the top. I came across 2 different groups of pipevine swallowtails but never got a shot I'm happy with.

Pipevine swallowtail

Instead of hiking for exercise I ambled along and actually took time to stand and wait for the swallowtails to land, which they rarely did. Today was very windy, and as is my luck, I would see a butterfly or flower I wanted to shoot and everything would be calm until I lifted and focused my camera. At that time, without fail, the winds came up and would continue until I finally put the camera down and start to walk away. Then the whole process would repeat. I know this about myself, but I really don't have patience on windy days.

This cutie was one of my highlights. Online literature says it's a forest tent caterpillar

I spied a rustling at the side of the trail and stood until I saw about 6 inches of a thick snake. I took a step to get in a better position and it was like the snake was shot across the ground with a crossbow it was so fast getting away from there. I actually jumped from being so startled and I'm not even afraid of snakes.

A ways further I heard another rustle, stopped, waited, saw the weedy grasses moving and finally stepped closer. Stopped, stood, waited, etc., and then I saw it: my first TM box turtle! I couldn't believe my luck. I picked it up and proclaimed him to be a fine-looking fellow, then put him back down to snap his pic. I waited and waited. He wouldn't come back out. I finally took a pic and began walking away and heard the rustling again. It's like he pivoted in place and shot off through the weeds.

Upon finding the turtle I called A to tell her, and while talking to her a very large yellow butterfly came along and LANDED right next to me. I hung up and began to get shots, but the prime time had passed. I ended up with a pretty good shot anyway. My trusty little book couldn't differentiate it for me, so I'll later go to Kim and Mikes butterfliesofamerica site to help.

For now I'm calling it a cloudless sulphur
My daughter wanted to hang out when I got finished so I ended up shortening my hike by about 1 1/2 hrs. I will say it was my first truly slow and relaxing hike and I really enjoyed it. Total hike 1 hr 45 min.

Last spring we saw a lot of this, this, I'm assuming there are insect eggs protected in the fresh foam, but I haven't read up on it.

I checked out the blackberries, and found more than half of the blooms have fallen

Trouble in P Village

My mom and I traveled to the KC area this weekend to visit relatives and watch my nephew perform in The Music Man. The production was wonderful. The cast and crew was made up of regular, everyday 7th and 8th graders -- only they were quite talented! My nephew had 2 parts: a traveling salesman and one of the quartet members. He's a natural actor, a very good singer, and was great!


My nephew getting his make-up applied by his mom


And now for the hair


And he's flying out the door just in the nick of time


Playing DDR with a friend. He's a champion and I got to see why! In a few weeks this basement will be finsihed as a game room, office, bathroom and utility room. Too bad Oklahoma can't have basements

Pretty, but what in the world is it?
We stayed in a "Motor Lodge" recommended by my sister-in-law. It's family-owned, older, and really cool. I want to go back with my daughters just so we can stay there again. Well, that and visit our relatives, too. Our room was kind of a suite. We parked right in front and entered in one bedroom, then there was a door to a tiny hall. Off to the side was a door to the bathroom, and straight-on was a door to the other bedroom.

The decor was non-standard motel fare. It was real furniture, windows that would open, blinds AND curtains. And the best part was that at $69 it was only $7 more than a one-bedroom two-bed room! There were storms in the area, high winds and rain, and the community tornado alarms were going on and off most of the night. We heard this morning that the high winds were causing it.

About the bathroom - it was small, very small, but clean and workable. I didn't realize how small it was until I finished my shower this morning and was ready to step out of the tub. I slid the tub/shower door open and stood there, quickly realizing I needed to tap into my engineering experience to figure out the best way to get out of the tub, only I don't have any engineering experience. Undaunted, I formulated a plan, and decided the best way out was to limbo under the pedestal sink then hokey-pokey around the toilet to try to reach an area of floor clearance that was where the door would swing partially open. Really. That bathroom was so small that the toilet paper was hung on the wall under the pedestal sink. When finished with your business you simply leaned forward a tiny bit, while remaining seated, reached across the "room" and pull the toilet paper off the wall.

Despite the lack of sleep due to sirens and taking preventive ibuprofen in order to be flexible enough to use the bathroom facilities, it was the best place I've ever stayed. It even had an old-time cool roadside sign. I really wanted to take a night-time pic of the sign, but there was too much rain and I didn't have a tripod. I'll get it next time.

On the way home we took a 4 block detour in Yates Center, KS to see the town square. It was worth it.

Courhouse in Yates Center, KS

Robin egg, already hatched, and bird poop

One of the streets in the lovely town square

A sign in the window announces in handwriting the weekly winner of the pizza and movie. How cool is that?

Tomorrow I plan to hike, and I'm quite sure it will be muddy so I'll leave Eddie at home. Eddie spent the weekend with the Squares and they were a bit too eager to return him home. In fact, he was here waiting for me when I arrived. Evidently his presence upset delicate Lucy. I'll find out more tomorrow.

Rebel's Out!

This evening I found Rebel meandering in the compound. I've been worried about him for a month, because all the other turtles have been out and active. I had just about decided that a mole had chewed on him while in hibernation and he died under there from an infection. And the guy is all cleaned up, too, meaning he's been out for a while and has somehow managed to escape detection, otherwise he would be caked with dried mud.

Rebel is homegrown, meaning he hatched under our care, 7 1/2 years old, and our only male. Last year he became sexually active and we believe he must have been practicing, or else shooting blanks, because none of the resulting eggs were fertile. We're hoping he becomes the sperminator this year.

Our beautiful boy


...and another view


...and one more because he's just so handsome, even in this view!

I don't know what to think about Twyla. She has the orange characteristics of a male, but all other signs (tail, toenails, and plastron) are feminine. She spent a lot of time last year and already this year "making it" with our females. All of them. Repeatedly. Like a boy. After I caught her in the act last year I checked her over and again proclaimed her to be a girl. Kinky.

You can tell she isn't in full-blown hookup here. She always seems to do this towards dusk, after they should all be tucked in for the night
Because of a lung and breathing problem brought on by varnish and fragrances at work I have not felt well enough to go hiking. This weekend I'm going to Kansas City to visit my nephew and watch him in his school musical, then I'm taking off Mon and Tues. I plan to catch up on some relaxing hiking then. Strenuous hiking, but relaxing because it's away from people. Yea!

The wild strawberries in the compound have gone crazy. The turtles and the birds enjoy them


The cute little blue day flower I took so many pics of last summer are sprouting up. This one is springing up in a post, and a couple of others are coming out of the crevices of the retaining wall


After a hail storm about 4 weeks ago I noticed a lot of chipping and peeling of paint on the decorative trim along the bottom of the back of the house. The lower window ledges, too. I've scraped and peeled, finally applied a primer, and will soon get to the actual paint. Instead of re-staining the picnic table I decided to paint it the color of the trim as well. I hope it isn't the kind of paint that rubs off on peoples' butts after sitting down. I would hate that.

After Work Hike

Eddie and I went out Monday right after work. We parked low and took the meteor trail. So named because of a rock which appears to be blasting through a boulder. I've taken many a pic of it but can never capture the full essence. This pic is from winter:

Before getting to the north end we cut up through a gulley wash when the tarantula trail was just a few yards away and looped south. At the south end we climbed to the top, which allowed me to realize that is a shortcut off the yellow ridge trail while walking south. That's definitely good to know. I had looked before and always assumed it was not easily passable. Wish I had known this the 2nd time I ever went hiking there and almost got caught on the trail in the dark.

Near the top there I found another little patch of Indian paintbrush. From there we meandered west until we reached the upper. We then headed up the tadpole to check out the blackberry blooms. They are bountiful and I smiled.

There were lots of walkers (by clothing/shoes/lack of water source I couldn't really call them hikers) and lots of bikers. We came across only 2 dogs, Boston terrier-likes, leash-lunging at Eddie, but only for a sniff. By the time we got back to the lot there were very few cars. Total hike 2 hrs, 5 minutes, topped off with an Asian salad from McD. They were again out of dog treats but luckily I had stashed one in my door pocket. I fished it out and Eddie didn't know the difference.